Apparatus for strand treatment

ABSTRACT

Strand-treating apparatus is provided to draw and crimp textile strands, including means for cooling the strand-supporting surface of a draw roll and means for directing hot fluid, preferably obliquely, onto one side of a textile strand so supported, the opposite side of which is maintained relatively cool on the cooled roll surface. Means are provided for so treating one monofilament or multifilament strand or many individual strand &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;ends&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; lying alongside one another.

United States Patent Charles A. McClure R. D. 2, Malvern, Pa. 19355 Mar.13, 1970 Aug. 24, 1971 Continuation-impart of application Ser. No.714,171, Mar. 19,1968, now Patent No. 3,500,516, died Mar. 17, 1970,Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 543,947, Apr. 20, 1966, nowPatent No. 3,3745 14, Continuation-impart of application Sc'. No.686,424, Nov. 29, 1967, now Patent No. 3,457,613.

[72] Inventor [21 App]. No. [22] Filed [45] Patented 54 APPARATUS FORSTRAND TREATMENT 15 Claims, 8 Drawing Figs.

[51] Int. Cl D02g H00 [50] Field ofSearch 28/12, 72.1, 71.3

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,113,366 12/1963 Taylor28/12 3,528,148 9/1970 Staley 28/1.2

Primary Examiner-Louis K. Rimrodt AttorneyMcClure, Weiser & MillmanABSTRACT: Strand-treating apparatus is provided to draw and crimptextile strands, including means for cooling the strand-supportingsurface of a draw roll and means for directing hot fluid, preferablyobliquely, onto one side of a textile strand so supported, the oppositeside of which is maintained relatively cool on the cooled roll surface.Means are provided for so treating one monofilament or multifilamentstrand or many individual strand ends lying alongside one another.

Patented Aug. 24, 1971 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 l/YK-WTUK. CHARLES A. McCLUREPatented Aug. 24, 1971 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I/VVI-WIWI CHARLES A. McCLUREAPPARATUS FOR STRAND TREATMENT This application is acontinuation-in-part of my similarly entitled copending US. Pat.application Ser. No. 714,171 filed Mar. 19, 1968, now U.S. Pat. No.3,500,516, granted Mar. 17, 1970, which was a continuation-in-part of myUS. Pat. applications Ser. No. 543,947, now US. Pat. No. 3,374,514, andSer. No. 686,424, now US. Pat. No. 3,457,613.

In addition to edge-crimping, gear-crimping, jet-crimping,stuffer-crimping, and twist-crimping it is known to crimp textilestrands of at least partially oriented (molecularly) linear polymericmaterial by setting up a temperature gradient transversely of thestrand, whereupon the strand assumes a helically crimped configurationunder low (or no) tension after cooling of the heated side. In thelast-mentioned method the heating of the one side of the strand may beaccomplished by contact with a hot solid, liquid, or gas; the oppositeside is maintained cool by conductive contact with a solid surface atappropriate temperature. Resulting processing and productcharacteristics leave a good deal to be desired, however.

A primary object of the present invention is improved crimping oftextile strands by differential temperature treatment.

Another object is continuous drawing and crimping of textile strands.

Yet another object is improved multiple-end crimping of textile strands.

A further object is provision of apparatus for accomplishing theforegoing objects.

Other objects of this invention, together with means and methods forattaining the various objects, will be apparent from the followingdescription and the accompanying diagrams.

FIG. 1 is a side elevation, partially schematic, of apparatus accordingto the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a side elevation, on an enlarged scale and partly cut away andin section, of a detailed portion of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front elevation of a roll component of the preceding views;and

FIG. 4 is an oblique sectional view taken at IVIV on FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a partially schematic side elevation of apparatus of thisinvention similar to the apparatusof FIG. 1 but especially adapted totreating a multiplicity of strand ends alongside one another; 1

FIG. 6 is an enlarged side elevation, partly cut away and in section,similar to FIG. 2 but adapted as in the instance of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a transverse sectional view taken at VII-VII of FIG. 6; and

. FIG. 8 is a transverse sectional view taken similarly to FIG. 7 but ona different apparatus embodiment of the invention.

In general, the objects of the present invention are accomplished inapparatus for treatment of a textile strand whereby the strand is drawnto increased length by draw rolls and is heated on one side by a hotfluid jet and maintained relatively cool on the opposite side by contactwith a cooled draw roll.

A particular embodiment comprises strand-crimping apparatus for drawinga plurality of drawable textile strands alongside one another in adrawing zone, for heating the drawn strand material on one side only toits plasticization temperature by directing thereonto a stream of hotfluid, for

maintaining the opposite side of the strands cooler than theplasticization temperature, and for withdrawing the strandssubstantially tension-free, whereuponthey assume a crimpedconfiguration.

FIG. 1 shows, in side elevation and'partly schematically, strand 10being withdrawn from supply package 11 by the nip of pair of supplyrolls 13, 14 from which it passes to and through the'nip of auxiliaryroll 12, which may be undriven,

and flanged cool roll 15, which .is rotated at a sufficiently greatersurface speed than the supply rolls to draw the strand to increasedlength by exceeding the elastic limit (usually reached in the vicinityof 10 percent elongation) but without breaking the strand. The increasein length usually is limited to several times the supply length,although with some undrawn strand compositions a draw of 6X or evenhigher may be feasible. A draw of about 4X is customary with nylon 6 and66. The strand takes approximately a half turn about the flanged coolroll, to the recessed peripheral surface of which is juxtaposed jet end21 of pipe 22 for hot fluid supplied from source 24 through valve 23 inthe pipe. From the cool roll the strand is withdrawn and is forwarded,preferably at reduced rate, about part of roll 17, which is driven ornot driven as desired, then past heater l8, and is traversed onto winduppackage 20 driven by surface contact with traversing drive roll 19. Thecool roll rotates on axle 16 (shown sectioned).

FIG. 2 shows, also in side elevation but partly in section andconsiderably enlarged, a portion of cool roll 15 and adjacent elements.Part of near flange 25 of the roll is broken away, revealing theotherwise concealed corresponding portion of opposite flange 25 as wellas jet end 21 and the adjacent length increment of strand 10. The rollhas hollow 28 inside, which is supplied conventionally with coolingfluid (not shown). Jet end 21 is concave in the plane of the view, injuxtaposition to the recessed arcuate peripheral surface of the roll,with sufficient clearance for strand 10 (omitted in the interest ofclarity) to pass therebetween. The jet outlet is aligned with bore 27 inpipe 22, and the emitted hot fluid (not shown) is incident at an obliqueangle onto the exposed side of the strand, which runs about the roll inessentially nonslipping contact with that recessed peripheral surfacethereof. The supply pressure of the hot fluid preferably is such thatthe velocity component thereof in the direction of strand travel exceedsthe rate of travel of the strand.

FIG. 3 shows, in front elevation on the same scale as in FIG. 2, aportion of cool roll 15, without strand 10 on recessed peripheralsurface 26 thereof, which is flanked by, pair of flanges 25, 25'. Thisview is what would be seen upon looking leftward from a position to theright of cool roll 15 in the preceding views before the strand is strungthereon. .When only a single strand (i.e., one end) is treated on roll15 the flanges, which together with the intervening roll surface confinethe strand laterally over three quadrants of its circumfe'rentialsurface, may be more closely spaced than the indicated spacing thereof,which is more conducive to multipleending, might suggest. With either asingle end or a plurality of ends alongside one another it is desirableto confine the flow of hot fluid to the strand side exposed to the openquadrant.

FIG. 4 shows, also in front elevation and partly in section, theelements visible looking obliquely leftward at IV-IV in FIG. 2. Jet end21 with outlet opening 29 therein is visible end-on, with part of pipe22, and flanked by part of flanges 25, 25' (shown sectioned) of coolroll 15, which is not otherwise visible. Arrows from the outlet openingdenote the flow of hot fluid therefrom which is predominantly upward inthis view, corresponding to movement in the running direction of thestrand'rather than otherwise. The roll flanges also serve to channel theflow parallel to that direction instead of permitting it to bedissipated in any great part by a transverse velocity component.

The temperature of the hot fluid should be at or sufficiently above theplasticization temperature of the strand composition to soften theexposed side of the strand in the relatively brief time it is exposedthereto. For nylon the fluid temperature preferably is at least about acouple hundred degrees Centigrade. The cool roll should be maintainedwell below the ment of a multiplicity of ends of strand side by side.The showing is quite similar to the illustration of treatment of asingle strand end of FIG. I and intervening views, and like elements orcomponents are designated in FIGS. 5 to 8 by reference numerals largerby one hundred than the reference numerals used in the preceding views.Where there is no substantial change in manner of operation, specificmention of at least some portion thereof is omitted in the interest ofbrevity.

FIG. 5 differs outwardly from FIG. 1 in that conical package 11 of thatearlier view has been replaced by beam 111 from which strand 110 isunwound to pass between the nip of auxiliary roll 112 and cool roll 115,which looks similar to roll 15 of previous views. However,notwithstanding such similarity of roll 115 in this view and in FIG. 6,which shows a portion thereof enlarged, together with juxtaposed jet end121 of pipe 122, FIG. 7 (taken sectioned thereon as indicated) showsconfigurational differences from previous roll 15.

FIG. 7 revealsthe surface of roll 115 as being multiply recessed in aseries of rounded grooves between alternate rounded lands to receiveandflank. strand ends (shown in place) 1 10a, b, etc., each of which maycomprise numerous individual filaments or consist of a monofilament, ofcourse. The edges of jet end .121 abut ungrooved edge portions of theroll surface just inside the flange wall so as to preclude lateralescape of the fluid, and the jet end is open clear across the groovedportion of the surface so that the fluid therefrom flows over all thestrand ends as a group.

FIG. 8 shows alternative jet end 141 juxtaposed to the surface ofsmoothunflanged roll 135. The jet end has a plurality of separator webs142 spaced between thesides thereof and also juxtaposed to the rollsurface, forming therewith a number of compartments, each receiving one(or more) of strand ends 1100, b, c, d, e. Of course, as in the previousembodiments, the jet is spaced sufficiently from the roll 10 as not tointerfere with rotation thereof. Also comb 108 between beam lll and niprolls 113, 114 and comb 109 between the nip rolls and cool roll 115 arepresent to align and space apart the-plurality'of: strand ends. One suchcomb may suffice but two are preferred.

lt-will be understood that in these additional embodiments of thisinvention, as in the described embodiment, the rate of strand withdrawalfrom the package, as by the indicated nip rolls or the equivalent, ismaintained sufficiently lower than the surface speed of the cool roll toimpart the desired degree of tension to the strand ends therebetween,sufficient to draw the strands to increased length as desired. Thesubsequent forwarding roll is preferably driven at the same surfacespeed,

while the windup rate is lower to enable the strand to relax at leastpartially before being wound up. Suitable means for so driving therespective driven rolls are well known in the art and accordingly do notrequire further comment or description here.

Although only imperfectly understood, the resulting helical crimp in thedrawn strand may be at least partly attributable to a heat-inducedmolecular disorientation of the exposed side of the strand such as topreclude subsequent recovery thereof from the increased length impartedthereto by the previously applied tension, whereas the opposite side,which retained its molecular orientation and consequent elasticity,retracts slightly to become relatively shorter. The resulting difference'in relative lengths of the respective opposite sides of the strand,apparent under low tension as a generally helical configuration,produces a bulky or fluffy condition, which is quite desirable, bothfrom the standpoint of appearance and of its effect upon physicalproperties of textile products made therefrom, such as apparel,upholstery, and carpeting.

Heat relaxation after treatment on the cool roll may be performed byexposure of the cooled strand(s) to an intermediate temperature inheater 18, which is heated in any suitable manner, through which itpasses at relatively low tension, or similar relaxation may be deferreduntil later if desired. The heat-relaxed strand exhibits a more tightlycoiled configuration,as may be desirable.

The composition of the hot treating fluid may be selected for reasons ofcost, heat-capacity, chemical plasticizing effect upon the strandcomposition, or. other reasons. Gases are preferred because of thetendency of most liquids to wet the cool roll or the strand or both,which usually is undesirable. l-Iot air is quite useful accordingly,with or without the admixture of steam, for example. Some steam usuallyis helpful because of having aplasticizing effect, but excessive steamis usually undesirable because of problems arising from condensation ofwater on the apparatus. Combustion gases may be employed, such asacetylene or hydrogen with air or oxygen. Other examples of suitable hotfluids will occur to persons ordinarily skilled in the art in the lightof the present teaching.

For best results the radius of the cool roll, in centimeters,

should not exceed the cube. root of the strand denier. Thus for a 1,040d. strand of carpet yarn, the preferred maximum roll diameter is about20 cm., and for a 15 d. monofilament about 25 cm.

No attempt will be made to list here the considerable variety of strandcompositions subject to successful treatment according to the presentinvention. No reason is known to rule out any plasticizable strandhaving a generally linear polymeric composition and at least partiallymolecularly oriented with respect tothe strand axis by predrawing oreven by orientation during its formation by extrusion, for example. Ifdesired the strand may bepartially oriented before being drawn andcn'mped according to the present invention. Partially crosslinked orthree-dimensional polymers, whether organic or inorganic, also may besuitable. One or more additional rolls may be added, in contact with thecool roll or between it and the nip rolls to preclude slippage for thepurpose of ensuring drawing or simply-as a precautionary measure. 7

Although certain preferred embodiments of this invention have beendescribed above and illustrated in conjunction therewith, modificationstherein, whether as above suggested or otherwise, as by adding,combining, or subdividing parts or steps, may be made while retainingallor some of the benefits of the invention, which is defined in thefollowing claims.

The claimed invention 1. In apparatus for treating a textile stranddrawable to'increased length, the improvement comprising drawing meansfor drawing a textile strand to increased length including at least oneroll adapted to receive the strand in essentially nonslipping contacttherewith and to rotate at a first speed, and at least one other rolladapted to receive the strand in essentially nonslipping contacttherewith and to rotate at a second speed greater than the first andthereby to draw the strand to increased length, one such other rollbeing maintained at a temperature below the plasticization temperatureof the strand, and heating means juxtaposed to but spaced from thesurface of that other roll at a location thereon at which the strand isat such increased length and adapted to heat the strand toplasticization temperature on one side while the other side ismaintained relatively cool on that roll.

2. Strand-treating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the heatingmeans includes a hot fluid jet.

3. Strand-treating apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the jet isdirected obliquely onto that cool roll.

4. Draw-crimping apparatus for textile strands, comprising a solidsurface movable at a given speed for movably supporting a textile strandin essentially nonslipping contact therewith, cooling means formaintaining the supporting solid surface at a temperature sufiicientlylow to preclude plasticization of the strand while in contact therewith,restraining means for limiting movement of the strand to a slower speedin advance of its contact with the cooled supporting surface so as todraw the strand to-increased length therebetween, and heating-meansjuxtaposed to but spaced from the cooled supporting surface for heatingthe side of the strand opposite thereto to substantially plasticizationtemperature while the strand is supported thereon.

5. Draw-crimping apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the cooledmoving solid-supporting surface is the peripheral surface of a rollrotatable at the given speed.

6. Draw-crimping apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the heatingmeans comprises a fluid jet.

7 Draw-crimping apparatus according to claim 4, including means forwinding the strand away from the cooled supporting surface.

8. Draw-crimping apparatus according to claim 4, plus supplementaryheating means for heating the strand substantially uniformly between thecooled supporting solid surface and the winding means.

9. Strand-treating apparatus comprising a cooled strandsupporting roll,means for feeding a plurality of textile strands continuously onto thesurface thereof, means for cooling the roll surface, means for jettinghot fluid onto the opposite side of the strands while so supported, andmeans for withdrawing the strands continuously from the roll surface,and means for drawing the strand to increased length ahead of the fluidjet means.

l0. Strand-treating apparatus according to claim 9, including means forspacing the plurality of strands on the roll.

11. Strand-treating apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the rollsurface is level, and the spacing means are separate from the roll.

12. Strand-treating apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the spacingmeans are juxtaposed to but spaced from the roll surface.

l3. Strand-treating apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the rollsurface comprises means for spacing the plurality of strands.

l4. Strand-treating apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the rollsurface is grooved peripherally.

15. In strand-drawing apparatus including a first set ofstrand-supporting rolls rotatable at a given surface speed, and a secondset of strand-supporting rolls rotatable at a second surface speed atleast about twice the given speed of the first set, the improvementcomprising means for cooling the strand-supporting surface of a roll inthe second set, heating means juxtaposed thereto but spaced therefromfor heating the exposed side of the strand, as it passes by inessentially nonslipping contact with the surface, to a temperaturehigher than the temperature of the cooled supporting roll surface.

2. Strand-treating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the heatingmeans includes a hot fluid jet.
 3. Strand-treating apparatus accordingto claim 2, wherein the jet is directed obliquely onto that cool roll.4. Draw-crimping apparatus for textile strands, comprising a solidsurface movable at a given speed for movably supporting a textile strandin essentially nonslipping contact therewith, cooling means formaintaining the supporting solid surface at a temperature sufficientlylow to preclude plasticization of the strand while in contact therewith,restraining means for limiting movement of the strand to a slower speedin advance of its contact with the cooled supporting surface so as todraw the strand to increased length therebetween, and heating meansjuxtaposed to but spaced from the cooled supporting surface for heatingthe side of the strand opposite thereto to substantially plasticizationtemperature while the strand is supported thereon.
 5. Draw-crimpingapparatus according to claim 4, wherein the cooled movingsolid-supporting surface is the peripheral surface of a roll rotatableat the given speed.
 6. Draw-crimping apparatus according to claim 4,wherein the heating means comprises a fluid jet. 7 Draw-crimpingapparatus according to claim 4, including means for winding the strandaway from the cooled supporting surface.
 8. Draw-crimping apparatusaccording to claim 4, plus supplementary heating means for heating thestrand substantially uniformly between the cooled supporting solidsurface and the winding means.
 9. Strand-treating apparatus comprising acooled strand-supporting roll, means for feeding a plurality of textilestrands continuously onto the surface thereof, means for cooling theroll surface, means for jetting hot fluid onto the opposite side of thestrands while so supported, and means for withdrawing the strandscontinuously from the roll surface, and means for drawing the strand toincreased length ahead of the fluid jet means.
 10. Strand-treatingapparatus according to claim 9, including means for spacing theplurality of strands on the roll.
 11. Strand-treating apparatusaccording to claim 10, wherein the roll surface is level, and thespacing means are separate from the roll.
 12. Strand-treating apparatusaccording to claim 11, wherein the spacing means are juxtaposed to butspaced from the roll surface.
 13. Strand-treating apparatus according toclaim 10, wherein the roll surface comprises means for spacing theplurality of strands.
 14. Strand-treating apparatus according to claim13, wherein the roll surface is grooved peripherally.
 15. Instrand-drawing aPparatus including a first set of strand-supportingrolls rotatable at a given surface speed, and a second set ofstrand-supporting rolls rotatable at a second surface speed at leastabout twice the given speed of the first set, the improvement comprisingmeans for cooling the strand-supporting surface of a roll in the secondset, heating means juxtaposed thereto but spaced therefrom for heatingthe exposed side of the strand, as it passes by in essentiallynonslipping contact with the surface, to a temperature higher than thetemperature of the cooled supporting roll surface.